View from my grandmother rooftop showing the beginning of the 1st part of the area building development Cairo, Egypt 2021-06-12

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If They Move Me ... I Die

Mohamed Hozyen | Egypt

This project  sheds light on the human impact  that  accompanies processes  of  development  and renovations  in greater  Cairo. While parts of the city grow tall, in their shadows lie the imposed destruction of ancient neighborhoods down to the sustainable development in Egypt. This story, depicted through the personal experience of my Grandma, is emblematic  of many others’ experiences. She gives voice to those who were pushed  aside.

In 2011, the Egyptian authorities decided to demolish all the old ‘informal’ residential buildings and districts across the country – unplanned areas have been inhabited for decades without the authorities getting involved. Since 2016, they have already razed the buildings .

My grandmother’s home in Cairo is one of the neighborhoods set to be demolished.

My grandmother has lived here since 1952, when she was 14 and married my grandfather. My own childhood and so many of my memories are from this home. My mother was raised here, and we visited often when I was a child. Now that my grandmother’s area is set to be demolished, I don’t want us both to have to experience another loss. My mother died in 2020. Losing 70 years of my grandmother's memories in this area is opening those wounds of grief all over again. It is like losing another part of myself.

My grandmother tells me, “I spent all of my life here in this house. This area has witnessed all of my ups and downs. This is where I started my life, had my children, and lived happy and sad moments. But now after my kids have left and have their own lives, I’m alone. But I still have my neighbors around me.

 Hozyen’s work and photo stories focus on trying to shed light on important subjects and social issues in our communities.

He works on essential topics we don’t see or forget about, with a focus on documenting daily life and social issues and Neglected communities in Egypt.

email : mohamed.hozyen84@gmail.com

whatsapp : +201006732944

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/mo.hozyen/

website : mohamedhozyen.com

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